More Links

Binghamton Cruises Past Niagara

from Press Release

VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton women's
lacrosse team sprinted out to an 8-0 lead early in the first half
and never looked back en route to a 17-7 win over visiting Niagara,
Thursday afternoon at the Bearcats Sports Complex. A stingy Bearcat
defense held the Purple Eagles (2-2) scoreless during the games'
first 17 minutes allowing Binghamton (3-1) to open the wide
margin.

"I thought we responded to the defeat Saturday (at Lafayette)
really well," head coach Stephanie Allen said. "We wanted to take
control of the game early and for the most part we did that. We
battled hard for every ball and fought for 60 minutes which is
something we preach every day. Our offense focused on moving the
ball today and we did a good job of locating the gaps in their
defense."

The Bearcats continued its best start in program history thanks
to a balanced and efficient offense. Nine different Binghamton
players tallied goals led by freshman Bri Arthur. The first-year
player from Watertown, N.Y. continued her torrid start to the
season netting a game-high four goals. Arthur now has a team-best
14 goals on the year, which ranks fourth in the America East.

Binghamton jumped all over Niagara thanks to winning the
contest's first seven draw controls. The Bearcats' advantage in the
draw circle propelled them to a 6-0 lead with nine minutes barely
elapsing off the game clock. Arthur highlighted the hot start,
completing her third career hat trick with 21:47 left in the first
half.

The Bearcats continued to press the Purple Eagle defense netting
a pair of goals over the next eight minutes resulting in a Niagara
goalie change. Sophomore Sophia Racciatti scored her seventh goal
of the season after handing out assists on each of Binghamton's
first three goals. An Arthur free position goal concluded the 8-0
run to start the game for the Bearcats, who were never threatened
in the contest.

Niagara finally got on the board scoring two quick goals with
just over 11 minutes left in the half. That would be as close as
the visitors would get however, as freshman Samantha Karner's
first-career goal handed Binghamton a 10-3 lead at the break.

Binghamton registered the first three goals of the second half
to open a 10-goal advantage, 13-3. Senior Angela Vespaand junior
Renee Kiviat each netted their second goals of the game during the
spurt. Niagara was only able to trim the deficit under 10 once
which resulted in a running clock for most of the second half
including the final 18:13.

The Bearcats recorded nine assists against the Purple Eagles,
the most in a game since a 2011 meeting with Niagara when
Binghamton tallied 10 assists on 20 goals. Four different Bearcats
recorded at least one assist led by Racciatti's and junior Alex
Fisher's three. Racciatti had a game and career high five points
(2g, 3a) against Niagara.

Vespa finished the game with two goals and two assists while
Kiviat netted a pair of goals while dishing out an assist. Fisher
added a goal to her three helpers.

Sophomore Erin McNulty had another solid day in net recording
four saves and allowing just four goals in 45 minutes of work. The
second-year starter improved to 3-1 on the season and eclipsed her
2013 win total.

Binghamton continues its three-game homestand when the Bearcats
welcome St. Bonaventure to the Bearcats Sports Complex for the
first time since 2009 on Saturday, March 8. Binghamton concludes
its homestand against Cornell on Wednesday, March 12.